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BLAKE STOOD IN ROBBIE’S parents’ garage, the band’s normal rehearsal spot, but this time he was in there without his guitarist or his drummer. He held in front of him the inventory of songs he’d need to know for the Frontier Fire summer tour. He knew enough keyboard to be able to pound out the melody, but fortunately, he already knew almost all these classic songs. He’d listened to them over and over when he was a kid. Frontier Fire was one of the most well-known and beloved bands in the US, regardless of musical style. Everyone knew their songs by heart. Which is why he was faced with a challenge. He didn’t want to perform them just like Josh Lakely would, a robo-tron copy of Josh up on stage. He wanted to make them his own. But he didn’t want to drift too far from Josh’s interpretation, either. These fans weren’t here to see him, Blake Scott. They were there to hear the familiar, perfect songs from their favorite band.
Quite a dilemma to find a balance.
Haley sat in the corner of the garage on a barstool with her laptop. She was tapping away, doing something, working her magic like she always did, while also supporting him and listening. He was so happy she’d agreed to come with him on the tour. She’d keep him sane in an ocean of uncertainty. She’d help his confidence and ensure that he performed well.
He pressed a palm down on the electronic keyboard, letting loose a jarring combination of notes. Haley looked up with a gasp. He laughed, soaking in those gorgeous green eyes that in some lights, reminded him of emeralds. “I’m done for the night.”
“Are you ready for the rehearsal with the band tomorrow?”
“Yep. I know the songs. It’ll be interesting to perform them with the instrumentals and back-up singers. Hear the whole thing come together.” He pushed himself to his feet and reached a hand out to her. “Are you busy? Or do you have time to go somewhere with me?”
She gave him that sideways mouth curl that got his heart racing. “I’m all yours.”
A shot of adrenaline ran through his body. He wished that was true, in every sense of the words. But for now, he’d be satisfied that her time and devotion, at least, were his.
“I’d like to introduce you to my family.”
Her expression shifted to surprise. Neither had so much as spoken about their families. She recognized that this was big, and he was glad that she did. “I’d love to.”
They jumped into his truck and while he drove, Blake figured a bit of an explanation was in order. “I want you to meet my Aunt Gloria and my brother, Brent. They’re my family.” He let that settle in while she nodded, then he added, “They’re who’s left of my family.”
Haley darted a quick look in his direction. Her expression asked for more.
He cleared his throat. “I grew up in a pretty normal family, in a house with my mom and dad and little brother. Until I was sixteen and Brent was twelve. I was spending the night with a couple of buddies across town. It was the night after the final football game and we were celebrating a solid season.” He paused and took a deep breath, because even though this was now a dozen years ago, it wasn’t easy to talk about. “My parents’ house caught on fire. No one ever figured out why.”
Her hand on his arm was warm and welcome. “Oh, Blake!”
“It was a fast fire and for some reason, the alarm didn’t sound. My dad was trapped and couldn’t get out at all. He died upstairs. My mom and brother climbed out a window and jumped.”
He paused for a moment. Funny how this story still had the power to bring him to his knees. He trapped a sob in his throat and stopped it before it escaped. He concentrated on the road. When he felt sure his voice wouldn’t betray him, he went on. “Brent was paralyzed from his fall. He’s now a paraplegic, from that day on.”
“And your mom?” Haley whispered.
Blake blinked a few times, demanding control over the tears that threatened to erupt. “Mom survived the jump but died two days later of smoke inhalation.”
“Oh my gosh, Blake,” Haley cried and leaned her whole body across her seat into his right arm, trying to be close to him in their closed quarters. He pulled the truck to the side of the road. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug. Seconds turned into minutes and they stayed silent, the chirps and calls of insects creating a symphony out the window. “I’m so sorry,” Haley whispered into his chest. “I had no idea.”
“It’s okay. It was a terrible fire, and we paid a terrible price. But life goes on, doesn’t it?” He savored the feel of her pressed against him. He caressed a hand through her hair. “My Aunt Gloria took us in. She raised us as best she could. Almost like a mother. She’s awesome.”
Haley pulled back to look into his face. He missed their contact immediately. “Did she have her own family?”
“No. She was my mom’s sister. She was single.”
“What a saint.”
“You better believe it. An instant family with a teenager and a newly paralyzed kid, suddenly orphans due to a crazy accident. She didn’t hesitate. She opened her heart and her home and took us in. It was incredible. Even when I was sixteen I fully recognized her sacrifice.”
“She loved you.”
“She sure did and does still. She and I have worked together to pay Brent’s college tuition. He wants to be a computer programmer. That’s a great job to do even with his paralysis. He’s got full use of his hands, and of course, his brain.” He smiled. “I’m proud of him for how he’s handled this.”
“Almost done?”
“Yeah, I think he has three semesters left. He’s doing well.”
Haley nodded.
Blake let a moment of silence go by and then he looked at her, a deep, intense gaze into her eyes. "Brent and I are very close. Like really, really close. I'd do anything for that kid. Not just to protect him from harm. I mean, I'd put my own safety on the line if I had to, to make sure he was safe. But I feel like it's my job to set him up for all the success and happiness he can have in life. He hasn't had an easy road."
Haley nodded. "Sounds like none of you have."
"But he lost so much. His parents and his mobility all in one night. I don't know," Blake shook his head. "He deserves as much help as I can possibly give him." He knew there was more he wanted to say, but he let it go there. “So,” Blake said as he straightened in his seat and put the truck in drive again, “you know our story now.”
“Thanks for sharing that with me. And for introducing me to them.” She leaned over as he pulled onto the road and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. “It means a lot.”
Blake drove, trying to remember how many girls he’d ever introduced over the years to Aunt Gloria. With a smirk he realized the answer was none. Haley would be the first. He wondered what Aunt Gloria would make of that.
THE TINY LITTLE BUNGALOW Blake pulled his truck up to was adorable, a little shabby and Haley decided, right out of a fairy tale. She could imagine Snow White bounding out the front door, followed by her seven adoring dwarves. Blake honked his horn, then they both dropped out of the truck and headed for the front door, by way of the wooden ramp. Haley gave him a grin when he reached for her hand. Despite knowing their story, and knowing how much Blake loved his Aunt Gloria, she still felt a shimmer of nerves at the thought of meeting her.
A woman met them at the front door and opened it. Focused on Blake, she gave him a hug and welcomed him with warm words. Then she noticed Haley walking in behind him. “Oh, hello.”
“Aunt Glo, this is Haley. She’s the band manager I’ve been telling you about.”
“Oh yes,” Aunt Gloria said enthusiastically. “You’ve done wonders with Blake’s band. Thank you so much.” Aunt Gloria reached out a hand and they shook.
“But,” Blake continued as they stopped in the front room, “she’s not just our band manager.” He shifted his head in her direction, blasted her the most heart-racing smile and wrapped an arm around her waist. “She’s something special. To me.”
Haley grinned. It was a little awkward as introductions went, but Aunt Gloria got his meaning.
“Oh! I see. Well, in that case, it’s doubly nice to meet you, Haley.” She stuck both arms out. “Would a hug be appropriate now that I know you’re something special to my nephew?”
Haley nodded quickly, and they joined in a hug. “So nice to meet you.” The words were inadequate since she now knew she was hugging a true angel on earth after what Aunt Gloria had done for her nephews, but there you go.
“Well, let’s sit down and get to know each other a little bit.” She raised her voice. “Brent! Come out front.”
Moments later, the sound of wheels against the floor came to Haley’s ears, followed by the sight of a young man in a wheelchair. He used his arms to operate the chair into the small room. Despite the tight space and the lack of electronic controls, he maneuvered to an open space beside the couch.
“Bro, this is Haley. Haley, this is Brent, my younger and much more immature brother. He idolizes me, so don’t say anything derogatory about me. It could crush him.”
Haley laughed. She knew about brothers, and the humor between them, considering she had three of them herself. “Hi Brent, so nice to meet you.” She leaned from her spot on the couch and shook his hand.
“Hi Haley. And don’t believe a word he says. It’s actually the opposite. He wishes he could be like me, but the most he can hope for is a sad and disappointing, him.” Brent had the same dark wavy hair as his brother, but instead of Blake’s stunning blue eyes, Brent’s were brown. He sat comfortably in his chair and his upper body was chiseled with lean muscle. The Scott good looks ran in the family, most definitely.
Blake said, “So, I think I’ve learned all my Frontier Fire songs and tomorrow, we go rehearse with the band.”
Brent looked over at Haley. “Oh, this Haley! Sorry, I’m catching up. You’re the one who’s made all the magic happen for Blake’s band over the last few months.”
Haley felt the warmth of a blush take over her face, but she bathed in the praise. “I can’t take credit for how good Ace in the Hole is. Blake and the guys took care of that themselves. But I just had a few ideas of how we could get them more visible, and sure enough, it took off like wildfire.”
“You’re too modest,” Aunt Gloria said. “Ace in the Hole is one of many local Myrtle Beach bands who were all competing for space in the local bar scene. You actually got them up and out of that market. Blake’s been traveling and performing and being seen.”
“And now,” Brent continued, “he’s hitting the big time with Frontier Fire. Lead singer, man! We’re so proud of him.”
Haley saw how they both beamed at Blake, their pride for him evident in their expressions. A sage thought seeped into her mind. She was the one with the solid, traditional family; two parents who’d raised her, loved her. And they weren’t proud of her accomplishments at all. She’d go so far to say she was an embarrassment to them, since she was living a life outside the mainstream, opposite of what they’d planned for her. Yet, despite whatever success she’d managed to achieve in her life, they’d shunned her. Cut her off from the family fortune, to teach her a lesson.
But look at this little family unit. Untraditional in every way. They’d faced many challenges. Unspeakable difficulties, with few resources to help them. Yet, they’d come to this point of their lives intact. Happy, loving, supportive.
And now, with their praise and thanks for her skills and efforts, they were including her in their inner circle. It felt good here. She’d never really known what it was like to soak in praise and confidence. She didn’t want to give it up.
She tuned in to the happy conversation going on around her. Aunt Gloria rose and left the room, coming back with a tray of iced soft drinks, a bowl of chips and a jar of opened dip. The men dug in, and Haley lifted her drink and took a long sip.
Families. They came in all different sizes, shapes and combinations. But this was one she was glad she’d met. She could learn a lot from these people.
An hour later, after laughter, sharing the tour schedule, and a little bit about Haley’s future plans for the band, the glasses and chip bowl were empty. Aunt Gloria stood and looked at Haley, gesturing. “Would you like to help me carry this stuff to the kitchen?”
“Of course!” Haley popped up and caught a wink from Blake beside her. Haley grabbed the glasses while Aunt Gloria took the tray with the food remnants. They walked only a few steps to the little kitchen, and Aunt Gloria opened the dishwasher.
“So nice to meet you, Haley. Thanks for coming over.”
“I’m happy to be here. I have to admit it was a total surprise that Blake dropped on me earlier tonight. But after he told me your story, I am so honored to meet you. I hope I don’t bother you by saying this, but you are a top rate human being.”
“Oh gosh,” Gloria said, dipping her head while loading the dishwasher. “Stop. Anyone would’ve done what I did.”
“No, not anyone. Just someone generous and loving as you would’ve taken in two boys who’d just lost their parents, and one with a terrible medical battle to face.”
“It did make life interesting, I’ll say that. It wasn’t easy. But we loved each other, and we worked through the hardships together. I’m happy to say that we are on the other side now. Life is pretty darn great.” She stopped moving and reached out and held both Haley’s hands. “But what I wanted to tell you is I appreciate all the help you’ve given to Blake. He’s worked so hard to get to where he is, and you seemed like an answer to prayer to take him to the next level.”
Haley stared. She was an answer to prayer? She’d never thought of herself that way. Especially not coming from this living angel on earth, Aunt Gloria. “You give me way too much credit.”
“Nope. You may not realize it, but you’ve given Ace in the Hole a huge jumpstart.”
Haley shrugged. “I’m so new to this band manager gig. I just went by instinct. I noticed gaps and tried to fill them. That’s all.”
“And you’ve done a great job. Thank you, on behalf of the band.”
Haley giggled. “They’ve thanked me too. They’re very appreciative.”
Blake wandered into the kitchen. “Ready to get going?”
“Sure.” She turned to Aunt Gloria. “So, so nice to meet you.”
“Well, hopefully it won’t be long till our next visit. Right, Blake?” She gave him an exaggerated stare and he chuckled.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Atta boy. Have fun, you two, and be safe.”
On the way out of the house, Haley stopped at Brent’s chair and put a hand on his shoulder. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Brent. How soon till school starts?”
His handsome face beamed a smile. “Summer session starts next week.”
“Good luck.”
He nodded and gestured a salute. “Hope we see you before Blake leaves on his tour.”
They left, the door closing on the homey comfort inside. They walked to the truck. Settled in, Blake started the engine, then turned to face her, his right arm over the back of her seat. “You definitely won them over. They love you, I can tell.”
Her heart filled with emotion. “I love them too. What an awesome family.”
He nodded. “It’s not your typical family, and we went through some really hard times. But I think God uses hard times to pull people closer together, and closer to Him, too. Brent and I often talk about how our faiths in God are stronger after the fire, than before.”
It was a topic she wanted to hear more about, but not right now. She’d never really faced hardship in her life at all. Why would God save her from hard times, and load them on to Blake and Brent? It was a part of life she’d never really thought about. The thought was quickly brushed from her mind when Blake leaned close and laid his lips on hers, a soft, warm kiss, full of emotion. They kissed again, her heart picking up its pace. He smelled so good, and his lips against hers felt perfect.
He pulled back and she gazed into his expressive blue eyes. What was happening to her? Was she falling in love with this man who had launched a brand-new career opportunity for her? The man she’d given up her family fortune for? And was that a good idea?
It didn’t matter. She was following her heart and doing what she felt was right. If it was wrong, she’d learn from it and adjust. But oh, what if it was right?